Meaningful and motivating
By Jonathan Eagle (B.F.A. ’24), first-year student at UTulsa’s College of Law
In January, I had the privilege of attending the Student Veterans Association (SVA) National Conference (NatCon) in Colorado Springs, and it was nothing short of transformative. NatCon is a massive gathering of student veterans from across the country, all coming together to share ideas, discuss best practices, and explore new ways to serve fellow student veterans and our local communities.
The event was impressive, but what really made it unforgettable was the deep sense of community throughout the conference. Not only did I get to meet hundreds of fellow student veterans, but I really got to know some of the student veterans and faculty from my own campus.
Throughout the week, members of The University of Student SVA chapter tried to “divide and conquer” the different breakout sessions being offered. There were plenty of professional development sessions offered at the event. You could attend a session on the laws and resources to help aid fellow veterans and next it could be something geared toward ways you can improve your local chapter. The sessions were taught by people ranging from CEOs of top companies to Ph.D.s from highly ranked schools to MIT graduates, but it was all so accessible and welcoming.
While I am incredibly grateful for the personal development, knowledge, and networking opportunity NatCon provided, I am most thankful for the way the trip has brought our campus student veteran community closer. A lot of us started the trip on New Year’s Day as strangers or acquaintances at best, and now we are a tight-knit community exchanging texts and ideas on becoming more interconnected with all students on campus.
NatCon has reminded us of what it is to be leaders. The event has the TU SVA highly committed to remaining a source of meaningful contributions to the campus and the Tulsa community. Being able to attend these sessions, ask questions, and create a network of resources to help build our vision will undoubtedly play a huge role in what is to come from the TU SVA.
Attending this conference also reinforced why I am so thankful to be a part of the TU community. The university’s unwavering support for its students, especially veterans, is meaningful and motivating. There’s something truly special about the culture here, and it played a major role in my decision to continue my educational journey at TU after graduating last May.
Sacrifice and service
By Robert Boguszewski, first-year student at UTulsa’s College of Law
Last month, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference (NatCon) in Colorado Springs. The conference provided ample opportunities to network with fellow veterans, meet veteran-invested employers, discuss self-improvement techniques, and most importantly in my mind, how to keep serving with a purpose.
As a newer member to the SVA, this was one of the most phenomenal icebreaking events that anyone could ask for. At NatCon, I was surrounded by over a thousand student veterans from across the country, all aiming toward self-improvement, while seeking ways to continue serving others.
There were hundreds of courses offered throughout the multi-day event, which provided me with useful advice and inspiration to influence positive change in my community and myself. Many speakers, whose stories of sacrifice and service, fueled my desire to keep doing more for others, while also emphasizing the fact that to be the best for others, I must take care of myself.
Being a new member of any group can be daunting as fear about “fitting in” begins to creep into one’s mind. However, the week I spent at NatCon, surrounded by TU veterans, who I had never interacted with before, quickly silenced any fears. Almost immediately, we began talking about our past service, present studies, and future ambitions. There was no awkwardness, just a desire to help each other and those around us. We sat together, ate together, and grew together.
As we try to implement positive change and help both veterans and non-veterans alike, I am grateful to be surrounded by veterans from different walks of life, who have different perspectives about approaching a task. Although the Marine Corps is still No. 1, I can say that the rest of the branches are pretty OK in my book.
Ultimately, the end of military service can result in a loss of motivation, camaraderie, and sense of purpose.
The challenge of transitioning from the military, where all members are united toward a common goal, to a civilian life, where you are required to focus on self, is no easy feat. This is especially true of veterans in a university setting, where they are generally slightly older, more experienced in the challenges of life, and miss the camaraderie of the military.
The TU SVA is here for us, whether it’s our first year or last. I cannot express the gratitude I have for having been able to attend NatCon and the things I was able to learn about myself and others. I look forward to working with other university organizations to help others, while also helping veterans in similar situations to mine.